Setanta crisis' SFL impact

0 - 0 • Published 10 Jun 2009 12:00

WITH serious question marks over the future of Setanta, the principal sponsor of the Scottish Premier League, there could be a knock-on effect for Scottish Football League clubs like Morton.

The SPL currently pay in excess of £1.5m per season to the SFL and there is a fear that if Setanta enter administration, this payment could be subject at best to renegotiation and at worst disappear altogether.

Morton chairman Douglas Rae said: 'It would make a definite difference [if it disappeared]. At the moment we"re not sure what knock-on effect it might have on the SFL.

'The payments vary, according to what league you are in and where you finish in the table.'

The main fear at the moment is that some SPL clubs may be placed in dire financial straits, but SFL clubs will also feel the affects in that worst case scenario. Withdrawal of the amount that comes to Morton - some £50,000 - would hardly be enough to threaten their existence, but it is obviously a very welcome addition to their revenue.

The Setanta deal in 2006, due to run out in 2010, was worth a figure of £54.5m to the SPL. Since then, however, the Irish broadcasters have felt the icy blast of the recession and they seem headed towards administration.

A payment of £3m due to the SPL last week has not been paid and the elite Scottish clubs are worried that, at best, a severe reduction will be made in the money paid to them.

At worst they may have to seek new sponsors altogether, something they will find difficult in the current economic climate.

One hope remaining is that Setanta are taken over by a bigger rival.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 10 Jun 09

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